Right now in Central Oregon, thousands of people without health insurance choose between healthcare and food, childcare, or housing. Without access to medical care, untreated conditions could lead to severe or life threatening illness, visits to the emergency room and overwhelming medical bills.
Volunteers in Medicine is our successful, local solution to this terrible dilemma.
What we do
Our patients are low-income, working adults not covered by the Oregon Health Plan and who cannot otherwise afford insurance.
We treat people by partnering with St. Charles, local pro-bono specialists, and nearly 2,000 volunteer doctors, nurses and community members over the last 20 years.
It’s special. We are neighbors taking care of neighbors.
In our 20 years, we’ve:
● Treated over 16,000 patients
● Provided 121,000 patient visits
● Racked up 123,000 volunteer hours
● Provided more $212 million in medical care and community benefit
Change lives with a gift today!
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
At Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades (VIM Cascades), we believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right. For over two decades, our clinic has been a lifeline for hardworking members of our Central Oregon community who, despite their many contributions, find themselves without insurance or access to affordable medical care.
Our patients are the backbone of this region: construction workers, hospitality staff, small business owners, artists, home healthcare providers, and so many others who keep our economy and community thriving. They deserve quality care, and thanks to the dedication of our clinical volunteers and pro-bono medical partners, we provide it. Since 2004, we’ve served over 16,000 patients, delivered $212 million in healthcare value and community benefit, and distribute over $2.5 million in life-saving medications annually from our chartable pharmacy, the only one in Oregon east of the Cascades. We do all of this through a model built on compassion and community.
The healthcare landscape in America is at a crossroads. The Affordable Care Act’s subsidies are set to expire this December, leading to 200% increases in premiums for individuals and businesses, leaving many unable to afford insurance. Also, recent legislation means over 250,000 Oregonians could lose Medicaid coverage in the future, with ripple effects straining hospitals and clinics statewide. Here in Central Oregon, we’re preparing for an influx of patients who may soon have nowhere else to turn.
This isn’t just a policy issue, it’s a human one. When people delay care because of cost, manageable conditions become emergencies. When clinics and hospitals close or waitlists grow, entire communities suffer. VIM Cascades exists to bridge these issues, but we can’t do it alone.
How You Can Help
- Give Generously – Every dollar helps us provide care for those who need it most. Your donation ensures prescriptions are filled, chronic conditions are managed and reduces burdens on our community health system.
- Volunteer Your Time – Whether you’re a medical professional or a community member with a passion for service, your skills can make a difference.
VIM Cascades was founded in 2001 by a group of visionaries who refused to accept that hardworking people should go without care because they did not have insurance. Today, we carry that same determination. But as needs grow, so must our resources. If you believe, as we do, that healthcare should be accessible to all—please act now. Donate via our Central Oregon Gives page, volunteer, or otherwise champion our cause. Let’s ensure no one in Central Oregon has to choose between their health and other basic needs.
With gratitude and hope,
Kat Mastrangelo
Executive Director
Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades
